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Soumi Biswas, MBA

Title: Director

Company: Trademark Property Company

Education: MBA in Finance and Business Analytics, The Wharton School (2021); Bharatnatyam and Kathak Dance Coursework, Banichakra Music and Dance Training College (2013-2019); Master’s Degree in Heritage Management Planning, RWTH Aachen University (2013); Master’s Degree in City Planning, Indian Institute of Technology (2013); BArch, Jadavpur University (2011); BArch in Conservation and Graphic Design, Escuela de Arte e Superior de Deseno Antonio Failde de Ourense (2010); Diploma, Apostolic Carmel (2006); Senior Diploma, Prayag Sangeet Samiti

Career History: Director, Trademark Property Company (2022-Present); Private Wealth Manager and Financial Adviser, Multiple Firms and Investors (2021-2022); Social Media Manager, Dance Arts Council at the University of Pennsylvania (2021); Student Life Fellow (SLF) Communications Lead, The Wharton School (2020-2021); President, Editor-in-Chief, The Wharton Journal (2020-2021); Student Life Fellow, The Wharton School (2020-2021); Wharton Communication Fellow, The Wharton School (2020-2021); Tutor, The Wharton School (2020-2021); Investment Banking Summer Associate, Goldman Sachs (2020); Founder, Designer, Studio 21 (2016-2019); Founder, Trainer, Charmed Fitness Studio (2016-2019); Assistant Manager of Design, PS Group (2017-2019); Business Development Coordinator, CBRE Group, Inc. (2016-2017); Design Coordinator, PS Group (2015-2016); Architect and Planner (2015); Researcher, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (2015); Architect, Planner, Agrawal & Agrawal Architects (2014-2015); Architect, Planner (2013-2014); Trainee, Planner, Abha Narain Lambah Associates (2012); Trainee, Architect, Interdesign (2009)

Soumi Biswas, MBA, Director at Trademark Property Company, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of real estate finance.

On a mission to make a positive difference in the world, Ms. Biswas grew up in communities in India that were extremely forward-thinking. She was raised by her family from an early age to be independent and inspired by her school headmistress to wield a strong personality. It’s with these traits that she became determined to carve out a successful career path—gravitating first toward architecture by earning a Bachelor of Architecture in conservation and graphic design from EASD Antonio Failde in Spain and then the same degree at Jadavpur University, becoming a Registered Architect, followed by a master’s degree in city planning from the Indian Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in heritage management planning from RWTH Aachen University.

First launching her career as a trainee in the field, Ms. Biswas found success as an architect and a planner at such firms as Agrawal & Agrawal Architects. A researcher at the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization for a year, she was also active as a design coordinator-turned-assistant manager of design at PS Group, a business development coordinator at CBRE Group, Inc., and the founder and designer at Studio 21, serving as the principal designer for numerous luxury projects, from 2016 to 2019. She subsequently shifted gears and began pursuing a Master of Business Administration in finance and business analytics at The Wharton School, which she ultimately attained in 2021. Throughout her studies, she held several roles at the school, including editor-in-chief for the Wharton Journal, through which she authored numerous articles, and found success as an investment banking summer associate with Goldman Sachs. Between 2021 and 2022, she excelled as a private wealth manager and financial adviser for multiple firms and investors before earning distinction as the director-asset management of the Trademark Property Company in 2022.

Since taking on the role, and becoming a certified Commercial Real Estate Analyst, Ms. Biswas has managed the real estate assets of institutional investors for the business and serves as the investors’ representative. She has executed her role by handling accounting issues, communicating with tenants, and walking them through issues with their properties, which helped her to build a strong reputation and acquire a position where people value her opinion. In addition, she strategizes daily operations, analyzes financing, refinancing and debt strategies, collaborates on cash collections and management, auditing existing accounts and rent rolls, and helps with the acquisition and disposition of real assets, among numerous other tasks.

Deeply committed to her industries, she’s an esteemed member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, Institute of Town Planners, and Indian Institute of Architects. Outside of her primary endeavors, she has also volunteered at Habitat for Humanity and the Knees on Bees Program. Ms. Biswas looks forward to continuing on her path and being motivated no matter what obstacles she faces.

LinkedIn

 

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Yosef H. Lee, Esq.

Title: Attorney At Law, Founder

Company: Your Lifestyle Equity Partners, LLC

Education: JD, Maurice A. Deane School of Law, Hofstra University (2012); Bachelor’s Degree, Hunter College (2006)

Career History: Attorney-at-law, Law Offices of Gary Park, P.C. (2009-Present)

Yosef H. Lee, Esq., Attorney at Law and Founder at Your Lifestyle Equity Partners, LLC, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the fields of law and real estate.

Motivated by his desire to become a better version of himself every day, provide for his family, and impact others, Mr. Lee has built an accomplished career as a successful litigation attorney and prolific real estate investor specializing in multifamily assets. His natural abilities as a people connector, strategic planner, and go-getter have allowed him to excel in his dual roles—an attorney-at-law at the Law Offices of Gary Park, P.C., he balances those responsibilities with managing multifamily investments—sourcing competitive deals, negotiations, underwriting, legal due diligence, financing, and structure partnerships—as a syndicator and general partner.

Originally from South Korea, Mr. Lee immigrated to the United States without knowing the language, learned it, and prospered throughout his educational journey. First acquiring a bachelor’s degree from Hunter College In 2006, he began working as a paralegal for the Law Offices of Gary Park, P.C. in 2009 while pursuing his own law degree. He obtained his JD from the Maurice A. Dean School of Law at Hofstra University in 2012 and became licensed to practice in New York, New Jersey, and Florida. As the firm had always been good to him and helped him on his career path, he has remained there ever since. He later became a licensed real estate broker in New York and began his journey of obtaining multifamily apartments as a way to create passive income streams.

Over the course of his burgeoning career, Mr. Lee accrued such accolades as a Young Leaders Achievement Award and a commendation from the Office of the New York City Comptroller. Civically minded, he has been affiliated with the United Nations Association of USA, the Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York, and Queens Community Board 11, and strives to one day create a community where people can freely share their high-level experiences, both personally and professionally, to help others. He also seeks to create an educational platform for young adults to enhance their financial literacy.

Mr. Lee values networking, vision, goals, self-development, business, planning, and building systems and regards himself as a believer, lawyer, and investor. But the title he takes the greatest pride in is being a father. Married with two daughters, he prioritizes spending time with them and encouraging their own successes in school and life.

Yosef H. Lee

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Mielat Asrat

Title: Farmers Insurance Agency Owner

Company: Mielat Asrat Insurance Agency LLC

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, University of Colorado Denver (2016)

Career History: Farmers Insurance Agency Owner, Mielat Asrat Insurance Agency (2020-Present); Insurance Agent, Farmers Insurance (2018-2020); Life Insurance Agent, American Income Life Insurance Company (2016)

Mielat Asrat, Farmers Insurance Agency Owner at Mielat Asrat Insurance Agency LLC, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of insurance.

As a Farmers insurance agent at her own firm, Ms. Asrat has been helping clients throughout Greenwood Village, Colorado, and beyond to identify the coverage that fits them best since 2020. Through personalized service and a plethora of knowledge and experience in auto, home, life, business, and specialty insurance, she writes new policies and maintains them for her clients throughout the cities of Aurora, Denver, Westminster, Centennial, and Englewood. First becoming an insurance agent with American Income Life Insurance Company in 2016, she advanced to Farmers Insurance from 2018 to 2020 before ultimately purchasing her own agency—which she considers her most notable achievement.

Ms. Asrat’s professional journey to her current role is one marked by a strong educational background and a career pivot. Attending college at a young age, she gravitated toward the sciences and worked as a laboratory assistant, a tutor, an administrative assistant, and an associate student of government justice at Colorado State University-Pueblo. Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Colorado Denver, which she earned in 2016, she became a learning assistant and administrative assistant at the institution and later served as a coordinator at the Auraria Higher Education Center. In addition, she has been a teacher assistant at Cimarron Elementary School and Junior Achievement USA, and a pharmacy technician assistant at the University of Colorado Health Northern Colorado.

Looking toward the future, Ms. Asrat intends to develop her company and hire agents to work under her.

Farmers Insurance

Mielat Asrat Insurance Agency LLC

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Manuel Chávez

Title: Realtor

Company: Ebby Halliday Realtors

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Central American University (Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas), El Salvador (1995)

Career History: Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), Ebby Halliday Realtors (2022-Present); Real Estate Agent, Ebby Halliday Realtors (2021-2022); With, Nordstrom (20 Years)

Manuel Chávez, Realtor at Ebby Halliday Realtors, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of realty.

Originally from El Salvador, Mr. Chávez immigrated to the United States in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central American University and no resources. He spent the first six months in his new country sleeping on floors, but through his perseverance and a natural affinity for helping and serving others, he leveraged 20 years at Nordstrom—advancing from warehouse stocker to top seller, stylist, and designer specialist, developing expertise in customer service and having a positive impact on people’s lives. This would inform the next chapter of his career, which began in 2021 when he became a licensed realtor and agent with the North Dallas office of Ebby Halliday Realtors.

Naturally gifted in the real estate field, Mr. Chávez provides exemplary service to high-profile clientele—for whom he values helping to buy a new home or investment property. Developing his skills and gaining deep real estate knowledge quickly, he received the coveted Graduate, REALTOR Institute (GRI) designation in 2022. Since joining the firm, he has accrued numerous accolades, including recognition as a Realtor by D Magazine and a ranking among the “Top Realtors” by Local Expert Magazine. Additionally, he earned the Rising Star Award and was named Rookie of the Year by Ebby Halliday based on his rapid success. In 2023, he was listed among the Top 250 Nationwide and #6 on the National Association by Hispanic Realtors Company, named among the Best Realtors by D Magazine, listed in the Top 25 Rookies by the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, and honored as “One of the Top Realtors for 2023” by Local Profile Magazine.

Looking toward his professional future, Mr. Chávez wants to grow and develop his team not only in numbers but as realtors and professionals. He believes that helping others progress enables him to grow and succeed as well. Grateful for his opportunities, he always strives to pay it forward outside of his primary endeavors as well by serving others in the community—volunteering whenever needed and going on mission trips for his local church. Happily married to his wife, Evelyn, he enjoys spending time with his two children, Gabriela and Kevin.

Ebby Halliday Realtors

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John Giannuzzi

Title: Senior Associate

Company: Cushman & Wakefield

Location: Melville, NY

Education: BA in Business Management, Hofstra University (2019)

Career History: Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, Senior Associate, National Industrial Practice Group, Cushman & Wakefield (2019-Present); Junior Funding Specialist, Money Works Direct (2016-Present); Cashier, Urban Outfitters (2013-2015); Manager, La Pizzetta, East Norwich, NY (2013); Cashier, ShopRite Supermarkets (2010-2013)

John Giannuzzi, Senior Associate at Cushman & Wakefield, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of real estate.

A licensed real estate salesperson and senior associate, Mr. Giannuzzi has served within the National Industrial Practice Group at Cushman & Wakefield, one of the largest commercial real estate services firms in the world, since 2019. The firm offers logistics and industrial services for a wide variety of clients, from investors to owners, and in many areas of expertise. Through hard work and dedication, he is proud to have been able to establish himself in the fast-paced, challenging, and diverse industry—which has required lots of learning, growing, and performing well.

In conjunction with his appointment at Cushman & Wakefield, Mr. Giannuzzi has served as a junior funding specialist at Money Works Direct, a New York-based financial institution that helps with credit, loans, and leasing, among other options, since 2016. He previously worked his way up to this role through jobs at ShopRite, La Pizzetta, and Urban Outfitters while also studying at Hofstra University, from which he ultimately earned a Bachelor of Arts in business management in 2019.

In 2021, Mr. Giannuzzi was recognized with a Rising Star Award by the Commercial Industrial Brokers Society of Long Island, as a testament to his excellence and commitment within the field of real estate. Still, he strives to keep growing and become a better version of himself, both in real estate and out of it, wanting to advance to a different and higher standard in his job and life in general. Looking toward the future, he would like to own property and become a landlord, utilizing the firsthand skills and knowledge he has accrued in his career to effectively serve in this capacity. A devoted and proud member of the Long Island Brokers Society and Commercial Industrial Brokers Society of Long Island, he attributes much of his success to his many mentors, including Fuzarone, Miguel Napoli, and Thomas De Luca, all of whom taught him how to canvas properties.

In his spare time, Mr. Giannuzzi enjoys cooking, playing golf, and reading.

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Joshua D. Holt

Title: Broker Associate

Company: Keller Williams Realty

Location: Madison, WI

Education: Associate’s Degree in Marketing, Chippewa Valley Technical College (2002)

Career: Broker Associate, Keller Williams Realty (2016-Present)

Joshua D. Holt, Broker Associate at Keller Williams Realty, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of real estate.

Guided by his ability to excel in any venture he puts his mind to and holding onto strong values, Mr. Holt’s professional journey has been one of variety, impact, and success. Upon graduating from high school, he joined the US Army Reserve, where he served as a private first class from 1998 to 2003—during which time he also obtained an associate’s degree in marketing from Chippewa Valley Technical College in Wisconsin. In 2005, he became the manager at Finish Line, a retail store that—under his leadership—was recognized as being “#1 in the Midwest region in accessory sales percentage through tenure” and subsequently became a sales and management specialist for American TV from 2006 to 2008. In this role, he earned recognition for his performance and spearheaded the closing of more than $2 million in sales. Between 2008 and 2016, he advanced from manager to senior manager of sales operations at West Corporation in partnership with American Express, and then briefly acted as a relationship manager at Heartland Payment Systems—working to build connections and cash flow and marketing solutions to businesses while finding new clients.

Over the course of his prolific career, Mr. Holt always held an interest in real estate and thought about eventually earning a license to pursue it seriously. His entry into the industry occurred as an inside sales agent within a team at Keller Williams Realty in Madison. From there, he moved into a Realtor® role where he directly helped folks purchase homes throughout the area.

Since 2018, Mr. Holt has been the owner of the Holt Real Estate Team within Keller Williams Realty, serving his community as a full-service broker associate and as a Realtor® . Equipped with a Wisconsin broker’s license, a designation as an Accredited Buyer’s Representative, and a Commitment to Excellence endorsement, he strives to help people find their dream homes or sell and invest; lead his team toward success by instilling a strong mission, vision, and values; and educate, coach, and mentor other agents at different levels so they can grow their businesses.

Within the next several years, Mr. Holt hopes to expand his role as a Keller Williams trainer and continue going above and beyond for his clients.  As a testament to his integrity, he was honored among the “40 Under 40” in 2021 by In Business Magazine. When he is not working, he enjoys traveling, cooking, baking with his daughter, and spending quality time with his family.

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Pablo Diaz Guerrero

Title: Owner

Company: D’Fine Logistic Services LLC

Location: Columbus, GA

Education: PhD Coursework;

MBA, University of Phoenix;

BS, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University;

AS, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University;

Career History: Owner, D’Fine Logistic Services LLC;

With, Pratt & Whitney (7 years);

Pablo Diaz Guerrero, Owner of D’Fine Logistic Services LLC, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of logistics and real estate.

Mr. Guerrero attributes his success to good-hearted people who saw potential in him — from the neighborhood drug dealer in Brooklyn who didn’t sell him any drugs because he know he was going to be something someday, to the African-American man from the U.S. Air Force who taught him to prepare for the future and helped him start saving up $50 every paycheck, and his father who encouraged him to continue studying. He considers these influences and all the good people he has met in life as the reason why he wants to give back to more people by sharing his knowledge and providing employment opportunities.

Mr. Guerrero served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years and retired with the ranking of Master Sergeant. He earned his airplane mechanic license certification when he was 18 and decided to enlist in service. He was also encouraged by the fact that one can start receiving a pension after 20 years of service in the military. Throughout his career, he earned an Associate of Science and Bachelor of Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He later received an MBA from the University of Phoenix and ventured into PhD coursework.

During his time with his previous employer, Mr. Guerrero witnessed a lot of people not being able to get a job at the company because they lacked qualifications. He decided to start a cleaning company to help provide employment to those who need it. His cleaning company is now the third-largest business of its kind in Columbus, GA. Mr. Guerrero’s business, D’Fine Logistics, is a delivery contractor for Amazon. They are now the largest fleet of couriers in the Charlotte area. They have 45 vehicles delivering about 5,500 packages every week. Furthermore, he enjoys coaching people who would like to know more about real estate, buying houses and flipping houses — free of charge.

Press Release

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Pamela C. Benda

Title: Licensed Realtor

Company: eXp Realty

Location: Napterville, IL

Education: BS in Finance and Economics (1985)

Career History: Realtor, eXp Realty, IL (2018-Present);

Realtor, Keller Williams Realty (2017-2018);

Realtor, Charles Rutenberg Realty (2010-2017)

With, Home Builders (1990-2007);

Loan Officer (1987-1990);

Mergers and Acquisitions (1985-1986)

Pamela Benda, Licensed Realtor at eXp Realty, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of real estate.

Ms. Benda became involved in the real estate industry by accident. She would not have considered going into the field if she had not helped her friend who was about to quit real estate because she could not keep up with the technology. After assisting her and her team, she realized that she could actually do the job and decided to join their team.

Looking back to her previous jobs, she felt that all the positions she held were all involved in real estate and led her to becoming a strong Realtor. Supporting her career change to a Realtor, Ms. Benda originally earned a Bachelor of Science in finance and economics in 1985. During her career, she has worked in mergers and acquisitions, with home loans, and with home builders for 18 years, providing a wealth of experience that gives her a very broad understanding of the industry. Since earning her real estate license in 2010, she has been a Realtor with Charles Rutenberg Realty and Keller Williams Realty before joining eXp Realty in 2018. Ms. Benda specializes in assisting both home buyers and sellers.

Ms. Benda’s most notable achievement in her career is being able to read people, figure out what her clients’ needs are, and try to meet those needs. Additionally, she has also taught Sunday school to two to three-year-old children for about 33 years. That, for her along with helping to raise 5 kids, is her greatest accomplishment way beyond real estate. She has maintained professional affiliation with the National Association of Realtors and Mainstreet Organization of Realtors. In the next five years, she still sees herself selling real estate because she has never loved a job as much as she loves being a Realtor.

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Kathleen Sitek

Title: Realtor

Company: BHHS New England Properties

Location: Vernon, CT

Career History: Realtor, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (BHHS) New England Properties

Kathleen Sitek, Realtor at BHHS New England Properties, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of real estate.

Ms. Sitek became involved in her profession because when her family moved to Connecticut in 1977, and she witnessed her parents working with a realtor to find their home. After observing the process, she became interested in the realtor’s job and thought that it would be a good job pathway for her. After starting her own family and working several professional jobs, she returned to her interest in real estate, became licensed, and has provided her skills and expertise in finding clients’ homes with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (BHHS) for more than 23 years. She was interviewed by Candace Adams and trained by Floyd Wickman.

Within her first year, Ms. Sitek became number one and has maintained this streak for nearly the entirety of her career. In the time that she did not reach that standard, she had suffered the tragic loss of one of her children. Though a difficult time in her life, she still remained passionate about helping her clients. She considers real estate to have been a lifeline for her in many ways. As a single mother, she was able to put her children through college and make a better life for them. In addition to being among the top 1% real estate agents nationwide, Ms. Sitek has also received the 5 Star Real Estate Agent Award (2011-2017, 2019-2021), the Chairman Circle Platinum Award and the Legend Award.

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Jansen Klefeker

Title: Realtor

Company: Rogers Healy and Associates

Location: Dallas, TX

Career History: Realtor, Rogers Healy and Associates, 2017-Present;

Director of Sales and Marketing, Bridge Creek Shores Contract, 2019-Present

Jansen Klefeker, Realtor at Rogers Healy and Associations, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of real estate.

Though he only started in real estate in 2017, Mr. Klefeker has already garnered attention for his work. In 2019, he was recognized as Rookie of the Year at his firm, and in 2020, was honored among the Best Real Estate Agents in D Magazine. In addition to his work finding his clients their dream homes with Rogers Healey and Associates, he has served as the Director of Sales and Marketing for Bridge Creek Shores Contract since 2019. Mr. Klefeker attributes his success to Rogers Healy and Associates and to a growth mindset. He is a team leader of the J. Klefeker Real Estate Group and manages six real estate agents that specialize in luxury builder representation for new home sales and buyer representation for home purchases.

Thus far, Mr. Klefeker’s most notable achievement has been his work branding an entire lakefront luxury community development in 2019. That year, he was able to sell all but two units, and eventually sold the remaining properties during the pandemic. In 2020, his average price point was $335,000, which was above the average medium. In 2021, he doubled his volume from the previous year and has done 60% of the transactions. In just that year, he has increased his average home price to under a million dollars. Looking toward the future, Mr. Klefeker endeavors to achieve a $30 million transaction. He would like to maintain a home-work balance and become known as an individual who wants to take care of people in the community.

Mr. Klefeker became involved in real estate through his work with luxury products. Prior to earning his license, he worked as a sommelier. He highly enjoyed this work but found through the years he wanted to build a lifestyle better suited to his family. Through meeting people and making connections, he discovered that real estate would be an ideal fit. To aid in his growth, he maintains professional affiliation with the National Association of REALTORS, The Dervish Club in Dallas, TX, and the Dallas Athletic Club.

Rogers Healy and Associates